By Tami Stevenson

Baby Selah Walton enjoyed the lofty view atop her father’s shoulders while her parents shopped at the Growers and Makers Market in downtown Lake City at Olustee Park last Saturday. Despite heavy winds, vendors managed to keep their booths together until the end and customers were plentiful throughout the day.

     Terry Phillips, community program director of the City of Lake City and organizer of the Growers and Makers Market, said, “We normally have more than this, but it’s spring break week. Phillips added, “The vendors said they had a really good day, so that’s always a good day for me.”

     The Growers and Makers Market is held the second and fourth Saturday of each month, except July and August. It is now in its fourth year and continues to grow with artisans of all sorts and styles.

     The market is a great way for young and not-so-young entrepreneurs to test the waters. Growing and selling fresh produce or creating handmade items like woodworking, jewelry, or using family recipes to make cookies and sweets to sell can be the start of a small business. Renting a booth at a well-attended event like the Growers and Makers Market is a low-risk way to step into business, meet customers, and see if a hobby might just turn into something more.

     Many vendors at the market have been coming since its inception four years ago, like the Gaskins family from Gaskins Honey. Daniel Gaskins, a second generation beekeeper, learned from his father who was in the business for more than 50 years. Today, Daniel is teaching his son, Madden, who will become a third-generation beekeeper if he chooses to follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.

     “This is 100% unfiltered, raw, organic, and straight out of the comb,” said Daniel Gaskins. ‘From hive to home,’ is their motto.

     Another vendor, Them Boards Woodwork, has been coming since the beginning of the market as well, selling Charcuterie boards and wall plaques with scripture and other sayings burnt into them. It’s a family affair. Twyla Varnadore, along with her son Adam and her daughter Leana all help create the pieces.

     Leana has become proficient at burning the lettering into the boards, completely freehand. Her son, Adam also makes wooden plaques and signs each one on the back. They began around 2021, from her late husband’s wood collection.

     The Growers and Makers Market has a good range of vendors. Shoppers will find there is something for everyone, and it helps support the local community.

     In a world that moves fast and shops big, the Growers and Makers Market is a reminder that some of the best things are still grown with care, made by hand, and sold with a handshake and a smile. And on the second and fourth Saturdays in downtown Lake City, that’s exactly what you’ll find waiting at Olustee Park.

Gaskins Honey is always available at the market. L-R: Josie Gaskins, Maddon Gaskins and Daniel Gaskins. -SVT Photo

Them Boards Woodwork L-R: Twyla Varnadore, Adam Varnadore and Leana Varnadore. They began around 2021, using her late husband’s wood collection and are always at the market. -SVT Photo

Visitors at Olustee Park during the Growers and Makers Market last Saturday in Lake City. -SVT Photos by Tami Stevenson